Sydney Winward's Blog, page 10
December 9, 2020
Tangled in Tinsel by N. Jade Gray
My Thoughts on Tangled in Tinsel
What an adorable story! I love second chance romances, and this one captivated me from the very first page. Maddy and Ryder had great chemistry with every interaction. Who wouldn’t be tempted by an attractive man wearing an apron that says “Bring the Heat. Kiss the Cook.”?
This book has it all—romance, heartache, laughter, and more. Tangled in Tinsel is the perfect holiday story, so if you’re looking for a cute read with quirky Christmas decorations and heart-warming romance, this is the book for you.
My rating: 5 stars
Favorite Quote
“Do you take good care of your Legos? You don’t leave them out for your mom to step on, do you?”
He glanced down at his shoe and dragged the toe across the floor a few times. “One time I left my Batman Lego on the floor. I can’t repeat the word Dad said.”
Blurb
Sugar plum fairies eat your heart out…
Madison Reynolds had visions of a different kind dancing in her head. Home for the holidays in Cedar Bend, Colorado, Madison must focus on helping her bedridden pregnant sister, not fantasize about the one who got away. But how is she supposed to forget about her high school crush when she bumps into him at every turn?
From the moment Ryder Sanders untangled the reindeer antlers from Madison’s hair his Christmas season appeared brighter. The time spent in her company leaves him more smitten. So, why does she still treat him as if he has cooties? They’re not in high school anymore.
Can the two find a forever love? Or will their wishes melt away like icing on a Christmas treat?
Excerpt
The yard light shined upon his face, but she couldn’t read his expression. “Thank you for going to the party with me. I had a great time.”
A smile appeared as he shifted closer and raised a hand to tuck a wisp of her hair behind her ear. “We got interrupted earlier.”
Her breath caught in her chest as she struggled with his nearness. “There’s no mistletoe.” She scooted back against the front door as he advanced further.
A devilish twinkle appeared in his brown eyes. “Use your imagination.”
Connect with the Author
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Website: https://www.njadegray.com
Email: njadegray@gmail.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/njadegray
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njadegray1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16468684.N_Jade_Gray
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-jade-gray
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAcfYqtiQ1U
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njadegrayauthor/
Buy Tangled in Tinsel
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Tinsel-N-Jade-Gray
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tangled-in-tinsel-n-jade-gray/1137963195?ean=9781509234493
iTunes (books) https://books.apple.com/us/book/tangled-in-tinsel/id1539087306
December 7, 2020
Book Review of Slipper in the Snow by Alice Ivinya
My Review
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Little Mermaid fairy tale retelling. This story was short, but packed with so many good things–mystery, adventure, and a promise of romance. The ending was intriguing, making me excited to learn more about Ianthe and what will come next after this short story.
This is my first introduction to Alice Ivinya, but I’m definitely planning on reading more of Alice’s works in the near future. I’m looking forward to what’s next!
My rating: 5 stars
Blurb
Burge has always been famous for its spectacular Christmas Eve ball, and this year everyone knows it will be exceptional. The King lies on his deathbed, and Prince Simeon is looking for a wife. Princesses and ladies alike are flocking from around the world seeking his hand, but the only person he has eyes for is the mysterious stranger who appears from nowhere with a terrible secret.
December 2, 2020
The Wild Rose Press Launches a New Series! A Wylder Christmas Is One of the First
I’m super excited about the Wylder West Series that The Wild Rose Press just launched! Not only do they have stunning covers, but they have incredible characters and a fun setting. Sarita Leone’s newest release, A Wylder Christmas, is one of the first four to start out the series. Learn more about the book below!
Blurb
Can a Christmas miracle bring a southern belle into the arms of a Union soldier?
Violet Bloom leaves Charleston to come west as a mail-order bride. But when she steps off the stagecoach, she’s greeted by tragic news. She vows to begin anew in Wylder, to lay haunting memories to rest, and find peace.
Former Union soldier Thomas Harvey’s dreams of homesteading are crushed, along with his heart, at the passing of his wife. He moves to town and struggles to survive—not for himself, but for his spirited young daughter.
After Thomas rescues Violet during a snowstorm, neither has any thought of romance. But Christmas magic is in the air. It’s a time of forgiveness and new beginnings—even for lost souls.
Excerpt
Dear Lord, the man was in a snowbank.
She bent her knees until she crouched, pulled in a huge breath, held her arms above her head, and jumped as hard as she ever had.
Strong hands grabbed hers. He lifted her body out of the hole, rolling over onto his back as she cleared the tunnel of snow he’d dug to reach the trap door, and pulled her onto his body.
They were both breathless from the exertion and lay panting for several moments.
Violet’s back and feet were instantly cold. She began to shiver, which caught the man’s attention.
He sat up, holding her in his lap, and unbuttoned his shirt. Beneath the flannel he wore a red woolen undershirt, which he pulled her against as he wrapped the ends of his outer shirt around her.
“Let’s get inside before we both freeze to death. I’ll come back to cover the cellar later.”
Thomas stood, taking Violet in his arms and carrying her.
When she felt his large, warm hand on her skin, she learned that the nightdress that had been so lovingly created for a wedding night was torn on the back side.
And the man’s hand? It was on her bare backside.
Buy Now! – Amazon
November 29, 2020
Book Review of Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker
My Review
Kindness matters most when it is hardest to give.
Fairy tale retellings are one of my favorite types of books to read, and Beauty and the Baron did not disappoint. The book was short and sweet, full of a wide range of vivid descriptions and beautiful emotions. The characters were fun to read about, with great chemistry and adorable scenes that often had me smiling.
If you’re looking for a sweet regency retelling of Beauty and the Beast, you should definitely give this book a try.
My rating: 5 stars
Favorite Quote
Rose had done the equations. She was excellent at arithmetic, no matter how Lord Norcliffe doubted her abilities. At a maid’s wage, and paying her father’s prison fees, she would be working here for close to seven years. Seven years without any hope of promotion, approval, or friendship. Seven years without anything resembling happiness.
Sometimes she wished she wasn’t so very good with numbers.
Blurb
A penniless maid determined to save her father, a broken baron bent on isolation, and the undeniable draw between them that could lead to happiness—or disaster.
Rose Sinclair has run out of options. With her father in prison and their bookshop sold to pay his debts, she has no choice but to turn to Henry Covington, the Baron Norcliffe. But the baron has more than earned his harsh reputation, and Rose must face his wrath in order to save her father—and herself.
Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father’s debt to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position—as a maid in his own house.
They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised—and intrigued—by Rose’s optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry’s true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry’s past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust and what they will risk for their happily ever after.
November 28, 2020
Book Review of Mistress Grim by Jane Redd
My Review
Mistress Grim has great world building with an interesting storyline. The duties of the Grim Reaper are suddenly thrust upon his daughter when the Underworld sinks into chaos. Only she can save the mortal world and restore the Underworld to its former glory.
Despite my initial draw to the cover and the blurb, the contents of the book were a bit flat to me, and I wasn’t able to invest myself in the characters. I was baffled by Leo’s determination to keep throwing himself into danger and putting his own life at risk for…nothing. There is no real motivation here, and him doing it for love is not believable either. Cora is also a flat character to me, just going along with what needs to be done and having no real believable motivation of her own.
The tense switching from chapter to chapter also threw me, changing with each pov. Cora’s pov was first person present tense, and Leo’s was third person past tense. It was my first time reading a book written like this, and I thought it was unnecessary.
Overall, the book had a good storyline and I enjoyed the ending. People who are looking for an interesting story about the afterlife in a fictional realm might enjoy this book.
My rating: 3 stars
Blurb
Loving a mortal will expose her greatest weakness. Sacrificing him will save her kingdom.
The Grim Reaper has been collecting souls of the dead for hundreds of years, but even the Master of Death has to pass on his reign. Unfortunately, his progeny is not quite ready to replace him.
Cora Grim, daughter of the Grim Reaper, is suddenly thrust into her father’s role. Leaving the Underworld on her own to bring back the dead souls, she discovers that the Master of Death neglected to tell her one thing. She can still fall in love.
November 25, 2020
Cover Reveal for Bloodscourge
I’m excited to show all of you my cover for Bloodscourge! This is my personal favorite book in The Bloodborn Series, and I’m looking forward to finding out what other people think of it when it releases. Below is an excerpt from the book.
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Bloodscourge Excerpt
She groaned and released a shaky breath, assessing her damage. Her ribs flared like a billowing torch, but now she felt the aches and pains of newer bruises on her arms and legs. To her relief, she didn’t notice any cuts or scrapes. Her secret was still safe.
“The Game is too dangerous to exist,” she grunted and tried to sit up, but Dracula pushed her right back down, pinning her while an overly intense expression took residence on his face. For a moment, her heart stopped. He was inches away—closer than he had ever been before.
“Now look what you did,” he said quietly. “You just broke the rules.”
Panic clutched her from the inside out. “What? I thought the Game had no rules.”
“Not that game,” he said, rolling his eyes. Her breath hitched as he trailed his thumb across her bottom lip. “This one. Distracting me in battle.”
She trembled beneath his touch. He had never looked at her that way before, with an intense passion seeping from his eyes. Warmth spread from her toes to her fingertips to her heart and to her lips that desperately wanted to be kissed. Right then, seducing him no longer mattered because she couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to use him for her own personal gains. But what did matter was how close he was, close enough to feel his breath on her skin.
“Kiss me,” she breathed, not able to handle the tension anymore.
“Dear Elisabeta,” he grinned wickedly, “that’s not how this game works. There are rules.”
He kissed her below her ear, and her heart nearly collapsed as the tension thickened. It was all she could do to force out her words. “I don’t like rules.”
“I’ve noticed,” he whispered in her ear.
November 18, 2020
Magic, Witches, and More: Denise D. Young’s Tangled Magic Series
Tangled Roots (Witches of Willow Creek: Tangled Magic #1)
I showed up on his doorstep. At midnight. Missing 45 years’ worth of time.
I’m Cassie Gearhart, and the last thing I remember, I cast a spell in 1974. Then, I woke up on a rainy July night to find it was 2019. And the entire Willow Creek Coven—my coven—was gone.
Well, there is one witch left in Willow Creek, Virginia: Nick Felson, the grandson of my high priestess, a brooding farm boy with magic in his blood and a chip on his shoulder.
Every time we get too close, love—the most powerful of magicks—draws us together. The passion? It threatens to be our undoing.
There’s a whole host of other problems, though. For one, Nick wants nothing to do with magic—and therefore, with me, a witch lost in time.
For another, the sinister magic that took the coven? It’s not finished with us.
It’s barely getting started.
Don’t miss the first book in the Tangled Magic Series, perfect for fans of the witchy magic of Charmed and for anyone seeking paranormal romance with a small-town setting!
PRAISE FOR TANGLED ROOTS:
“Witches. Spells. Love. A magical modern-day Sleeping Beauty story if Aurora was part of a witch’s coven.”—Nurse Bookie Book Blog
“A well-written, enthralling story that I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into.”—Splashes Into Books
“I’m seriously in love with this book.”—Ana’s Column
Excerpt
A bit of context: This is from Nick’s point of view. Cassie has just newly awoken from a spell that caused her to sleep for forty-five years, only to awaken in the present day. She goes to what she thinks is her high priestess’s home—except her high priestess’s hot (and rather grumpy) grandson is the current occupant. Cue confusion—on both their parts.
Magic. She stunk of it. My throat vibrated with a near-silent growl.
Gods damn it all.
Not sure who she thought she was, knocking on my door at midnight, silvery-blue air magic swirling in her aura.
I yanked a quilt from the chest in the living room and unfurled one of my grandmother’s creations to wrap around my shivering houseguest. This one was a log cabin design in simple red and cream. The scent of cedar and lavender sachets drifted up from the worn cotton. Hell, my guest was covered in dirt, as though she’d slept in the woods, but that would wash off. Gran always said her quilts weren’t meant for show; they were meant for real life.
Apparently, this was it.
I stomped back into the kitchen, worn hardwood meeting the heavy footfalls of my bare feet. My head felt full of cotton, a sign of an oncoming panic attack.
I held out the quilt, trying not to notice the startled way my guest gawked at me, her mouth agape as she perched on the edge of a chair, like she wasn’t sure whether or where to bolt.
I swallowed. “Tea?” The word came out a strange croak. I cleared my throat. “Tea. Do you want some?”
She smiled. “Yes.” I busied my shaking hand filling the kettle.
“We don’t filter,” I rambled, wincing at the posthumous “we.” “I have the well water tested yearly, and the taste is better than anything you’ll find bottled in the grocery store.”
She laughed, a little high, as if taut with nerves, but also with a hint of merriment. “What?”
I waited for the pilot light on the propane stove to click, then set the kettle on the burner. I watched the steady blue flame beneath the blue kettle, not wanting to turn to my impromptu houseguest, hating the warring emotions.
I tried not to hear, to feel other witches’ magic—on the rare occasions I encountered them. But this woman’s. I sighed. The air hummed with it. She was the promise of the summer stars, the crackle of bonfire, the brush of a feather against bare skin, the scent wafting from a field of lavender.
No. No. A thousand times no.
I spun and placed my palms against the kitchen island, keeping distance. Mostly for myself, but she also seemed startled, shocked, and beyond confused. No need to loom over her with that “brooding farm boy thing” that Evan always told me to play up. “Girls like that.”
Maybe for a fling—which, thankfully, was all I ever offered.
I caught her studying me, a quizzical expression on her face. “Folks by water in stores around here now?”
“Now?”
She sucked in her lips and shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s been the longest night of my life in…many ways.” Her tone was careful and clipped, almost forced cheer, but I heard sorrow.
And then I understood.
“You knew my grandmother?”
She nodded. She wrapped the quilt tighter around her body and peered out the bay window into the darkness. “She was my mentor.”
“She never mentioned having a student outside the coven.” I shifted. Gran often kept her opinions to herself, and she didn’t share coven business outside the coven. She respected people’s privacy. I’d barely even heard her gossip—and everyone in Willow Creek gossiped. Even the men. “I’m Nick, by the way. Ginny’s grandson.”
She laughed, the sound bordering on hysterical. “I’m sorry. Maeve is just a child.”
I shook my head. This woman was out of her mind. “No. Mom is—was—the local midwife.”
She stared at me like I was a ghost—in my own home. “What year is it?”
“Umm…” Gods, but she’d worked one wild spell out in those woods if she was this confused. “2019.”
Her legs wobbled, and I barely caught her before helping her into one of the kitchen chairs. “And you’re Nick. Maeve’s son. Ginny’s grandson.”
“That’s me. Nick Felson.” I exhaled. It was a relief, somehow, the first time in forever I’d met someone who didn’t know who I was, who didn’t have their own version of what happened by the banks of Willow Creek on Saunders Family Farm.
Although whether she was sane? That had yet to be determined.
Amazon U.S. | Amazon U.K. | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Kobo
About the Series:
Welcome to Willow Creek, Virginia:
A small town that’s home to a coven of witches–and a mystical nexus known as the Crossroads of Magic.
One year ago, a sinister curse destroyed the coven. Now, it’s up to the surviving members–including a time traveling witch from the 1970s, a fox shifter, and the local librarian–to save their coven, their town, and the Crossroads of Magic itself.
The first two books in the series, Tangled Roots and Tangled Fates, are now available. Book 3, Tangled Souls, is slated for release in December 2020.
Follow Denise on BookBub to receive new-release notifications.
About Denise D. Young
Equal parts bookworm, flower child, and eclectic witch, Denise D. Young writes fantasy and paranormal romance featuring witches, magic, faeries, and the occasional shifter.
Whatever the flavor of the magic, it’s always served with a brisk cup of tea–and the promise of romance varying from sweet to sensual.
She lives with her husband and their animals in the mountains of Virginia, where small towns and tall trees inspire her stories. She reads tarot cards, collects crystals, gazes at stars, and believes magic is the answer (no matter what the question was).
If you’ve ever hoped to find a book of spells in a dusty attic, if you suspect every misty forest contains a hidden portal to another realm, or if you don’t mind a little darkness before your happily-ever-after, her books might be just the thing you’ve been waiting for.
Connect with Denise on Instagram (@denisedyoungbooks) or sign up for her author newsletter for a bit of magic and whimsy delivered right to your inbox! (Plus, newsletter subscribers get a free copy of her short story Fractured Moonlight, equal parts fairy tale and sweet romance!)
Author Website (currently in transition to new hosting company, so I apologize for any technical hiccups!)Author Newsletter (with freebie short story!)Amazon Author PageBookBubInstagram
November 17, 2020
Cover Reveal Teaser for Bloodscourge
Bloodscourge: Book 3 in the Bloodborn Series
I’m so excited to have woken up to an awesome surprise in my inbox. I received the cover for Bloodscourge from my publisher, and I’m in love. On top of that, edits are 95% done, so it should be getting a release date any day now!
If you aren’t signed up for my newsletter already, make sure to do it to get a sneak peek at the cover before anyone else. I’ll be sending the newsletter out on November 20th, and there will be a giveaway involved!
Sign Up For My Newsletter
November 13, 2020
She Wakes the Night by Darcy Carson
Blurb:
Trell Langois escapes a thousand-year-old curse. Being trapped as a tree wasn’t on her bucket list, but now she can continue as a healer. Traveling with her dragon, Torkel, she seeks out new cures to help others and meets Gren, an unfortunate soul who suffers from a dreadful disease.
Gren Oyg Har is a prince on a mission. In order to rule his father’s kingdom, he must find a healer. Not just any healer, mind you, but one with a dragon. Yet, it is Trell who finds and rescues Gren, but wants nothing to do with him. If not for Torkel, she would leave him behind.
Separate goals soon become entangled, and both Trell and Gren are on their way to falling in love until secrets better kept hidden become known—and threaten to destroy all they hold dear.
Excerpt:
The music wove a powerful spell around her, and she wasn’t alone.
Rapt Fezners sat on the steps of their wagons or stood beneath trees with their heads cocked, listing to the music.
And Torkel flew overhead.
She could almost hear a purr of delight emanating from the dragon through mindspeech.
Farther away, where the Fezner horses were tethered, the animals stomped the ground or whinnied in protest. She held her breath. The horses sensed a predator—Torkel.
“Do not stop him,” the dragon mindspoke as if he fathomed her concerns. “He does not play often enough.”
“How close did you fly?” She held her stomach in dread. “No, don’t answer. I have no wish to know. Fly back to the dragon circle.”
“I cannot. A force calls to me. I can’t decide if it is the music or something else.”
In spite of her misgivings, Torkel’s repentant tone elicited a grin from her. “I can’t stress the danger. Gren already suspects that a dragon is nearby,” she reminded her friend. “This is dangerous for you. You’re being selfish. If you won’t worry about yourself, think about the dragonets. They are too young to protect themselves.”
“See what you have done,” he mindspoke back, dodging her protest.
“What?”
“The music. The human stopped playing. ‘Tis all your fault.”
Trell shook her head. Sometimes… “Return to the dragon circle, if you dislike my methods.”
“I follow where you go.”
She gave up and paused to listen. Sure enough, the sounds returned to normal where people conversed with one another. The stomp of iron-hooves striking the ground added a low tremor as they continued to nicker.
Squaring her shoulders, Trell replaced the lantern to where she found it. She put water on the fire and wiggled under the wagon. Gren sat with his legs crossed, the flute in his lap.
“You must be weary,” she said. “I didn’t expect you to play while I was away.”
“I missed you, and playing allowed the time pass quicker.”
Her heart fluttered at his flowery words. “How do you feel? I’ve put a kettle on for Grandmother Lurri’s tea. I could make you some chamomile as well.”
“That’s unnecessary,” he answered. “My neck is just stiff, is all.”
“Allow me to make you feel better while the water heats.” She reached for him.
He jerked back. “Touching me is unwise.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said, continuing to scramble over to him. Her fingers brushed over his neck and shoulders. Much to her surprise, his muscles felt like the cords of a warrior, not those of a sick man.
He scrambled away and stretched his arm to prohibit her from getting closer. “Stay back.”
That fleeting touch caused a tingle to run up her fingers like warm water. The sensation flowed up her arms, seeping into all her pores until her head spun.
How sick was he? The disease caused a person to lose extremities due to repeated injuries and infection. They had to be amputated. Some people died within five years, others lasted for several decades. No one knew why.
She liked Gren and wanted to help him. Yet she was sure he hid something from her. How sick was he? Or was he sick at all? She hated having doubts. His feelings mattered to her. It wasn’t fair such a kind, decent man suffered. She watched him tuck away the flute with care. A task hampered by rags covering his large hands. Yet those same hands created beautiful music.
She eyed him and smiled. “I would say you have magic in your hands.”
“What do you mean?” He repeated her earlier words.
“You create powerful music. It brings joy to all who hear.”
She examined the back of his head from under her lashes as if her gaze could pierce his ragged cowl. His music tugged at her heart with its appeal, but something deeply earthy pulled her to the man himself.
That was just wrong.
Author bio:
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Award-winning author Darcy Carson grew up reading everything her mother brought home from the library. Reading romances became her favorite genre. Eventually, her love for those novels led her to start writing them. She resides in in a Seattle suburb with her husband and a prince of a toy poodle.
Website: https://darcycarsonbooks.com/
November 9, 2020
Book Review of Damned When I Didn’t by Cherie Colyer
My Review
This was an easy book to get sucked into. The descriptions pulled me in. The story idea was one I hadn’t read before. I loved the world the author created and the detailed characters. I enjoyed the dynamic between Avery and Cole, and I was surprised when Wyatt quickly became one of my favorite characters. I would looovvee to see a book from his point of view.
If you’re looking for a unique read with interesting dynamics between angels and demons, this is a good read for you.
My rating: 4.5 stars
Favorite Quote
He’d put on a linen shirt, which he left unbuttoned. The white material accentuated his tan abs. His faded blue jeans hung low on his hips, revealing rope-like muscles that invited the eye to travel downward. His mildly bored expression gave me the notion that his outfit had less to do with impressing anyone in the room and more to do with being comfortable in Hell’s sauna-like atmosphere. I wondered if he’d always been so toned or if death had fine-tuned his body like it had done to mine. I didn’t want to announce I’d been checking him out, so I didn’t ask.
Blurb
Death isn’t the end for eighteen-year-old Avery Williams, and her final resting place isn’t beyond the Golden Gates. No, the Queen of the Damned has plans for her and, unbeknownst to Avery, fought hard to gain possession of her soul. As Hell’s newest succubus, Avery is expected to siphon life from the living. It only takes a long, meaningful kiss, but for a virgin like Avery, kissing guys she barely knows isn’t something she’s comfortable doing. Avery focuses on the upside of her fate—she’ll be returning home, or so she thinks. When the Queen of the Damned cuts her off from her old life, Avery is determined to find a way back to her family and friends, even if it means facing Hell’s fury if she’s caught.
